Long-running Flap Continues To Be Grimm

SIDELINES

As we jump into today's round of "Q's and A's," one big question hits me head-on.

Do you guys realize this is the final week of vacation from school, and that by this time next week, many of you will be forgetting your cleats while remembering to take your lunch, or vice versa?

Hard to believe, but another summer has whizzed by and football season is about here.

Just a reminder to you regular callers to the24-Hour Sportsline, 647-2499, keep calling with your concerns, tips,complaints or compliments.

* Doesn't veteran teacher and head baseball coach Harry Lentz of Northeast make a very good point about theBob Grimm transfer from Northeast to Meade when he says, "This is nolonger affecting him as athletic director but as a teacher?

"He always had high ratings as a teacher, and if they're doing this is in the best interests of the students, I sure would like to have this explained to me by (school superintendent) Mr. (Larry L.) Lorton."

Grimm first was removed as athletic director after 15 years at Northeast, then transferred as a social studies teacher to Meade on Monday.

Lentz, the dean of county baseball coaches, who had remained silent during the controversy, is very upset.

The Northeast community has been embroiled in a bitter controversy with Principal Joseph Carducci Jr. since the firing of Grimm last spring.

Do the Northeast parents have themselves to blame for Grimm's transfer in that their relentless crusade to return Grimm as athletic director resulted in Lorton finally putting the lid on any chance of that ever happening?

Wasn't Grimm looking for another job at another school and thereby opened the door for Lorton to make a move?

Will this ever end?

* While we're talking about personnel changes, will Anne Arundel Community College men's basketball coach Mark Amatucci become the top candidate for the Towson State University job if Terry Truax leaves?

Truax was considered to be one of the top two candidates for the newly created Southwest Conference director of basketball operations with John Erickson, the Big Eight Conference director. Erickson withdrew from the running for the job, which is expected to be filled by Sept. 1

As of yesterday, Amatucci, who turned Anne Arundel into a nationalJuCo power in two short years, had not heard from St. Francis in NewYork about its vacancy. Amatucci interviewed for the St. Francis joblast week, and hopes to be invited back as one of the three finalists.

"I'm still waiting to hear from them, because I felt I had a pretty good interview," Amatucci said. "I'm hoping to be one of the final three invited back for another interview."

Amatucci also confirmed that he'd be interested in the Towson State job if Truax left. The Pioneer coach had previous Division I experience at Loyola College in Baltimore after a highly successful career at Calvert Hall High.

* If you are an official, do you agree with Joe DiRenzo Jr. of Severna Park, who is retiring as an NCAA football ref, that there

are four main things you need to be successful? (1) Like what you are doing; (2) keep things in perspective and let the kids play the game; (3) know human relations; (4) know the rules and mechanics.

* Speaking of excellent officials, don't we all wish Anne Arundel Baseball Umpires Chief Jack Kramp a lot of luck in his upcoming (Sept. 10) operation to take out a disc?

"I hope this does it for me, so that I can get back out on the field next year," said Kramp, who has had several other back and knee operations and missed last season.

Kramp spent his time scheduling the county high school and summer baseball umpires and observing his men while being frustrated because he couldn't be out there between the white lines.

* Isn't it amazing that some 20 teams are entered in the ninth Annual Anne Arundel County Fall Baseball League run by veteran umpire Frank "Jocko" Svoboda?

The county fall league, which Jocko deems as first and foremost "an instructional league" consists of the following teams and their contacts: